The Council of the European Union, together with the other EU institutions, hold its annual Open Doors Day on 7 May 2011. The doors of the Justus Lipsius - the building of the EU Council in Brussels - were open to the public from 10:00 to 18:00. Guided tours were offered to explain the daily work of the Council to the European citizens and standswere held by the missions and operations currently deployed on 3 continents under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the European Union to present theiractivities on the field. Members of EUBAM Rafah presented the Mission to the visitors, explaining its mandate and achievements. They distributed leaflets, T-shirts, notebooks,pens and Palestinian handicraft to the public. More than 5 000 people visited the Council. The stand also received the visit of the President of the European Council, Herman VAN ROMPUY and the EU Civilian Operations Commander and Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), Hansjoerg HABER. The Open Day affords visitors an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the way the European Institutions function, and also to see the places where decisions which concern all Europe's citizens are taken. The Open Day is held each year around the time of the anniversary of the Schuman declaration of 9 May 1950. More than sixty years on, the EU has undergone profound changes but its fundamental aim remains the same: to maintain peace in Europe and promote prosperity for its citizens.
